How to Knit the Italian Bind-Off for Ribbing and Brioche
You may have had the experience of finishing a sweater only to find you can’t get it over your head. Or you tried on your new pair of toe-up socks to discover that the top edge was uncomfortably tight. Both of these problems were likely caused by a tight, inelastic bind-off.
Above: K1, p1 ribbing and brioche ribbing bound off using the Italian Bind-off method.
The Standard Bind-off, which is probably the first (and maybe the only) method you learned, is not very stretchy. The Italian Bind-off is one method for creating an edge that is just as stretchy as the knitted fabric. It is particularly appropriate for binding off ribbing and brioche knitting. Not only does it stretch, but it also mimics the knit 1, purl 1 rhythm of the stitch patterns and creates the illusion that the stitches flow continuously over the edge.
This is a Sewn Bind-off, Not a Knitted Bind-off
Unlike the Standard Bind-off, which is worked with knitting needles, the Italian Bind-off is a sewn bind-off. It’s worked with a long strand of yarn and a tapestry needle. You’ll need a strand of yarn at least 3 times the finished width of the edge. You can simply use the tail from your knitting if you leave it long enough. If you are binding off a very long edge, you might find it easier to work with yarn in 1-yard lengths, joining in another length of yarn when needed.
Even if you usually use a straight tapestry needle, try a bent-tip needle for the Italian Bind-off. I find the bent tip makes it much easier to maneuver around the base of my stitches.
How to Work the Italian Bind-off
Watch Now:
Andrea will demonstrate the technique in this quick video. For more detail, scroll down for step-by-step photos.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For the photos that follow, I’m binding off a swatch worked in k1, p1 rib. Although the Italian Bind-off is often recommended for brioche knitting, it’s easier to see the steps on simple ribbing.
1
Set up for your bind-off so a knit stitch is the first stitch to be bound off. Cut your yarn tail to at least three times the length of your finished edge. Thread yarn onto a tapestry needle (Photo 1).
2
Insert tapestry needle through the first stitch as if to purl and draw the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the knitting needle (Photo 2).
3
Insert tapestry needle through the second stitch (a purl stitch) as if to knit and draw the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the knitting needle (Photo 3).
4
Bring the tapestry needle around to the front of the work and insert through the first stitch as if to knit and draw the yarn through, dropping this stitch off the knitting needle (Photo 4).
5
Insert tapestry needle into the second stitch (a knit stitch) as if to purl and draw the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the knitting needle (Photo 5).
6
Insert tapestry needle into the first stitch as if to purl and draw the yarn through dropping this stitch off the knitting needle (Photo 6).
7
Insert tapestry needle from back to front between the first and second stitches and draw yarn through (Photo 7).
8
Insert tapestry needle into second stitch as if to knit and draw the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the knitting needle (Photo 8).
Repeat Steps 4-8 until all the stitches are bound off.
Take a few minutes to inspect your bind-off. Use the tip of your tapestry needle to adjust the tension if needed. You’re aiming for Goldilocks tension—not too loose, not too tight. Ideally, your bind-off stitches should match the tension of a row of knit stitches.
Try It With Brioche
The steps are exactly the same for working the Italian Bind-off with brioche knitting. Just remember to keep your stitch/yarn over pairs together and to work through the yarn overs together with their companion stitches.
Practice with a Swatch
The Italian Bind-off is a bit fiddly, and it takes some practice to find the flow. If you’ve never tried the Italian Bind-off, I recommend you practice on a swatch. Practicing will help you get a feel for this stitch before taking on the high-stakes neckline of a sweater. The Italian Bind-off may never become your go-to, but it’s a great option to have in your skill set for those occasions when a tidy, stretchy bind-off is a must.
Sandi Rosner
Technical Content Editor, Yarn
Try the Italian Bind-Off
This is a fascinating technique, and i can see where it would take a while to get it to make sense. In reading the instructions it sounds a lot like Kitchener stitch, except for not connecting two rows of knitting. I’m still not friends with Kitchener stitch, but I would be definitely interested in trying this Italian bind-off because I knit a lot of toe up socks. Great tutorial!
You are absolutely right – the Italian Bind-off is just like Kitchener stitch, but all the stitches are on one needle instead of on two. As a long-time sock knitter, I can Kitchener in my sleep, and that understanding was really useful in mastering the Italian Bind-off.